JP2012502851A - Weldable attachment mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

  An attachment mechanism is provided that is riveted at one end and welded at the other flange end. The flange may allow the rivet to be welded to the frame or other part without an additional support plate. In certain embodiments, rivets can reduce the weight of the attachment mechanism and simplify manufacturing and packaging. The mounting mechanism, in particular, increases load distribution, allows the use of thinner materials, facilitates mounting to heat-treated materials, allows mounting of difficult to use parts, reduces fixtures, and improves manufacturing efficiency Can do.

Description

  The present application generally relates to weldable attachment mechanisms.

(Cross-reference to related applications)
This application claims priority and benefit from US Provisional Application No. 61 / 098,135 entitled “WELDABLE ATTACHMENT MECHANSIMS”, filed September 18, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference. To do.

  The attachment mechanism may be used to attach components in many applications. For example, in a seat assembly, the mounting mechanism may be used to mount a part within the seat assembly or to mount the seat assembly on a mounting track. In certain applications, the attachment mechanism may be used in a vehicle seat assembly to attach the backrest to the seat base. The attachment mechanism may allow the backrest to recline relative to the seat base and / or allow the seat to fold to increase vehicle storage capacity. Therefore, it is desirable for the attachment mechanism to have sufficient strength to accommodate repeated operations. Furthermore, since the demand for vehicles with good fuel consumption continues to increase, it is desirable that the mounting mechanism be lightweight. Furthermore, in certain applications, it is desirable to reduce the number of parts used in the attachment mechanism to facilitate manufacturing and packaging. It is further desirable to provide mounting strength and repeatability, reduce thermal deformation, reduce fixtures, and / or create offsets.

  The present invention provides a novel attachment mechanism designed to meet such needs. The attachment mechanism may have one or more rivets with flanges for welding the attachment mechanism or other structure to the frame. In certain embodiments, the flange may provide a surface area for welding without the use of an additional support plate.

  In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a riveting assembly having a rotatable backrest member, a rotational connection member, and an attachment member. The riveting assembly also includes a first rivet portion secured to the rotational connection member, a first spacing portion having a first shoulder substantially surrounding the rivet portion and supporting the rotational connection member; A first rivet having a first flange and a first flange having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side is secured to the end of the first spacing portion opposite the first shoulder and the second side has a weld surface that is welded to the rotatable backrest member. The riveting assembly also includes a second rivet having a second rivet portion secured to the rotational connection member and a second shoulder having a second shoulder substantially surrounding the rivet portion and supporting the rotational connection member. And a second flange portion having a third side portion and a fourth side portion opposite to the third side portion, wherein the third side portion is a shoulder portion. It is fixed to the end of the second separation portion on the opposite side, and the fourth side portion has a welding surface welded to the backrest member. The second rivet has an intermediate separation portion between the second shoulder portion and the second flange portion, the intermediate separation portion has an intermediate shoulder portion, and the intermediate separation portion has the second separation portion. A stationary mounting member is received against the second shoulder for rotating the rotatable backrest member and the rotating connecting member together relative to the mounting member about the central axis of the rivet.

  In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a riveting assembly. The riveting assembly includes a rivet having a rivet portion, a spacing portion having a shoulder substantially surrounding the rivet portion, and a second side opposite the first side and the first side. The first side portion is fixed to the end portion of the separation portion opposite to the shoulder portion, and the second side portion has a welding surface. The riveting assembly also includes a first structural member that is secured to the rivet portion by riveting the rivet portion, and the first structural member supports the shoulder. In addition, the riveting assembly has a second structural member that is welded to the weld surface of the flange portion and is spaced apart from the first structural member by a spacing portion.

  In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a weldable rivet. The weldable rivet includes a rivet portion configured to be riveted to the first structural member, a spacing portion having a shoulder substantially surrounding the rivet portion for receiving the first structural member, And a flange portion having a second side portion opposite to the first side portion and the first side portion. The first side portion is fixed to the end of the separation portion opposite to the shoulder portion, and the second side portion is welded to the side portion opposite to the separation portion to thereby form the second structural member. Having a welding surface configured to be connected to the surface.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a seat assembly that employs an attachment mechanism. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the seat assembly of FIG. 1 in a folded position. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an attachment mechanism attached to a side member of the seat assembly of FIG. 1. It is a perspective view of the outer side of the attachment mechanism of FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inside of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 3. It is a side view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the rivet of the attachment mechanism of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the rivet of FIG. 7 after a pile driving. FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of a rivet that can be used in the attachment mechanism of FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of a rivet that can be used in the attachment mechanism of FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of a rivet that can be used in the attachment mechanism of FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is an illustration of a process that may be used to attach the attachment mechanism of FIG. 3 to a frame. It is a perspective view of the seat track which employs an attachment mechanism. It is a perspective view of the reclining assembly which employ | adopts an attachment mechanism.

  The present disclosure relates to an attachment mechanism having a weldable rivet. The weldable rivet may have a rivet portion that can be riveted to the first structural element and a flange portion that can be welded to the second structural element. The spacing portion may have a shoulder for separating the rivet portion from the flange portion and receiving the first structural element. Also, in certain embodiments, the weldable rivet may have an intermediate spacing for receiving the third structural element. The intermediate separation portion may be a support surface that moves the first structural element relative to the third structural element. For example, the first structural element may rotate around the intermediate separation and / or slide around the intermediate separation.

  The attachment mechanism shown in FIGS. 1-14 may be used in a variety of applications that benefit from riveting and welding. For example, riveting may facilitate attachment to a heat treated component or provide an offset. On the other hand, welding can increase load distribution or increase manufacturing efficiency. Also, the combination of riveting and welding to the flange on the rivet can particularly reduce fixtures, facilitate manufacturing and improve usability. For example, in certain embodiments, the flange may allow the rivet to be welded on either side of the flange and allow welding to be performed from either side of the rivet. In another embodiment, the flange may distribute the load from the attachment mechanism and reduce the need for a separate support component coupled to the attachment mechanism. In another example, the relative thinness of the flange indicates a tear that facilitates visual inspection of the weld. Furthermore, the relative thinness of the flanges can provide a sufficient weld surface while reducing the weight of the weldable rivet. The attachment mechanism generally has a rivet that can be riveted at one end and welded at the other end, such as by laser welding.

  The attachment mechanism may be used for a variety of applications, but may be particularly suitable for use in an attachment mechanism for a vehicle seat assembly. For example, the attachment mechanism may be used to attach the backrest to the seat base. Further, the attachment mechanism may allow the backrest to be folded flat on the seat base to facilitate storage or removal of the vehicle seat. In certain embodiments, the attachment mechanism may include a weldable rivet that secures the frame of the backrest to a rotating connection that allows the backrest to fold flat over the seat base. In other embodiments, the attachment mechanism may have a weldable rivet that secures the reclining plate of the seat assembly to the backrest to allow reclining of the backrest relative to the seat base. In yet other embodiments, the attachment mechanism may include a weldable rivet that secures the vehicle seat assembly to a vehicle attachment track disposed on the vehicle floor. The weldable rivet used in the attachment mechanism is particularly useful for securing structural elements where movement such as rotation or sliding is desirable and / or offset between structural elements is desirable.

  FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary application of an attachment mechanism in a seat assembly 10. As will be appreciated, the attachment mechanism may be used in a variety of applications. Also, the seat assembly 10 is provided for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting. In certain embodiments, the seat assembly 10 may be disposed in an automobile. The seat assembly 10 has a backrest that is pivotally connected by a seat base 12 and an attachment mechanism 16. The seat assembly 10 may generally have a set of attachment mechanisms 16 disposed on the opposite side of the seat assembly 10. The attachment mechanism 16 may be attached to the side frame 18 of the backrest or may be attached to the lower frame 20 of the seat base 12. In certain embodiments, the attachment mechanism 16 may allow the backrest 14 to recline with respect to the seat base 12. The attachment mechanism 16 may also allow the backrest 14 to tilt and fold toward the seat base 12. Further, the lower frame 20 may be attached to an attachment track 22 that can be arranged on the vehicle floor. The mounting track 22 allows the seat assembly 10 to be adjusted laterally and / or longitudinally relative to the vehicle floor.

  FIG. 2 shows the seat assembly 10 in the folded position. The backrest 14 is inclined toward the seat base 12 in order to place the backrest 14 flat on top of the seat base 12. The flat folded position may provide additional storage options within the vehicle and / or facilitate removal of the seat assembly 10 from the vehicle.

  FIG. 3 shows the outside of one attachment mechanism 16 attached to one side frame 18. The attachment mechanism 16 has an intermediate member 24 connected to the lower member 26 and the upper member 28. The lower member 26 may be connected to the seat base via a base frame. Further, the upper member 28 may be connected to the backrest via the side frame 18. The intermediate member 24 has two rotational axes for the seat assembly. Specifically, the intermediate member 24 may rotate around the rotation axis A relative to the lower member 26 in order to recline the backrest relative to the seat base. Further, the intermediate member 24 may rotate around the rotation axis B with respect to the upper member 28 in order to incline the backrest at the folding position shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the outside of the attachment mechanism 16. Upper member 28 includes rivets 30 and 32 for connecting attachment mechanism 16 to the seat assembly. Specifically, the rivet 30 may extend through the upper member 28 and be riveted or attached to the outside of the upper member 28. Rivet 32 extends through upper member 28 and intermediate member 24 and may be rotatably attached to intermediate member 24 using, for example, a top hat washer. The opposite ends of rivets 30 and 32 may be welded or attached to the outside of the side frame of the seat assembly.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the inside of the attachment mechanism 16. Rivets 30 and 32 have integral flanges 34, respectively, that can provide a surface for attaching rivets 30 and 32 to the frame of the seat assembly. The flange 34 is intended to provide a sufficiently large surface area so that the rivets 30 and 32 can be attached to the side frame without the need for additional plates or support. According to an exemplary embodiment, rivets 30 and 32 may be laser welded to the frame. For example, the rivet may be clamped to the side frame and laser welded through the side frame to fuse the rivet to the side frame. Of course, the rivet may be welded from any direction through the side frame or through the flange on the rivet. It is also contemplated that the flange can distribute the load from the attachment mechanism to the side frames to increase the amount of torque that can be applied to the attachment mechanism. Furthermore, the number and size of rivets may vary depending on the particular application and manufacturing constraints.

  FIG. 6 is a side view of the attachment mechanism 16 showing the rivets 30 and 32 extending through the attachment mechanism 16. As described above with respect to FIG. 4, rivet 30 extends through upper member 28 and rivet 32 extends through upper member 28 and intermediate member 24.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken through the rivets 30 and 32 in the attachment mechanism 16. Rivets 30 and 32 have ends 36 for riveting or attaching rivets to upper member 28. Furthermore, the rivet 30 has a first separation portion 38 and a second separation portion 40 that separate the flange 34 from the intermediate member 24. The intermediate member 24 may be disposed around the rotary bearing 42 of the rivet 30. The rotary bearing 42 may allow the intermediate member 24 and the rivet 30 to rotate relative to each other. The upper member 28 may be disposed around the third separation portion 44 of the rivet 30. The rivet 30 has a first separation portion 46 and a second separation portion 48 that separate the flange 34 from the upper member 28. The upper member 28 may be disposed around the second separation portion 48. For both rivets 30 and 32, the separations 38 and 46 have a smaller cross-sectional area than the flange 34. The smaller cross-sectional area of the separations 38 and 46 can provide sufficient area for attachment through the flange 34 while simultaneously reducing the weight of the rivet.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken through rivets 30 and 32 after pile driving illustrating the assembled state. Specifically, the ends 36 of the rivets 30 and 32 are staked using, for example, a rivet driving tool or rivet driving machine to couple the rivets 30 and 32 to the upper member 28. .

  FIG. 9 is a side view of the rivet 30 illustrating the flange 34, the first separation portion 46, and the second separation portion 48. The flange 34 is generally circular and extends radially outward from the first separation 46 to provide additional surface area for attachment. However, in other embodiments, the flange 34 may be square, triangular, trapezoidal, or other suitable shape.

  FIG. 10 is a side view of another exemplary rivet 30 illustrating a tapered section 50 between the flange 34 and the first spacing section 46. The tapered portion 50 may enhance the flow when traveling and may improve load distribution. The tapered portion may be provided on all or some of the rivets included in the attachment mechanism 16. As will be appreciated, various configurations of rivets may be provided. For example, the relative dimension of the separation portion may change. In addition, additional spacing may be provided along with grooves, washers, and other intermediate attachment mechanisms.

  FIG. 11 is a side view of another exemplary rivet 30 showing a positioning mechanism 51 disposed on the flange 34. The positioning mechanism 51 may include a stepped portion that protrudes from the flange 34. According to certain embodiments, the positioning mechanism 51 may fit into a complementary opening in the side frame 18 to assist in positioning the rivet 30 at a desired portion of the side frame 18. Further, in certain embodiments, the positioning mechanism 51 may include an opening for receiving a matching assembly tool through a corresponding opening in the side frame 18.

  FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary process for attaching rivets to a frame. The light source 52 may direct the laser beam 54 toward the inside 56 of the frame 18. Beam 54 may move in the direction schematically indicated by arrow 58 to create weld 60. The weld 60 may fuse the outer side 62 of the frame 18 to the flange 34 of the rivet. Of course, in other embodiments, the laser beam may be directed towards the outside of the frame to create a weld on the flange of the rivet.

  FIG. 13 shows another exemplary application for the attachment mechanism. In this application, one or more rivets 30 may be used to attach the seat assembly to the mounting track 64. The flange 34 may be welded to the mounting track 64 and the end 36 of the rivet 30 may be riveted to the frame for the seat assembly.

  FIG. 14 shows another exemplary application for the attachment mechanism. In this application, the rivet 30 may be used to attach a reclining plate 66 to a frame 68 that may be used for a seat assembly. The rivet 30 may be inserted from the reclining plate 66 and the frame 68 and riveted to the frame 68. The flange 34 of the rivet 30 may be laser welded to the reclining plate 66.

  The attachment mechanism may be applied in a variety of applications that benefit from welding and riveting. The weldable rivet in the attachment mechanism is intended to provide sufficient surface area for laser welding while keeping the weight of the attachment mechanism low. Weldable rivets can provide many design and operational advantages over conventional attachment mechanisms. For example, weldable rivets, in particular, increase load distribution, allow for the use of thinner materials, facilitate attachment to heat-treated materials, enable attachment of difficult to use parts, reduce fixtures, and manufacture Efficiency can be improved.

  While only certain functions and embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing substantially from the novel teachings and advantages of the present subject matter. Good (eg, size, dimensions, structure, shape and ratio of various elements, parameter values (eg, temperature, pressure, etc.), mounting arrangement, material usage, color, orientation, etc.). Further, in order to provide a concise description of exemplary embodiments, not all features of actual embodiments may be described (ie, relevant to the best mode currently contemplated for practicing the invention). None, or irrelevant in carrying out the claimed invention). It should be understood that in the development of any such actual implementation, many implementation specific decisions may be made, as in any engineering or design project. Such development efforts can be complex and time consuming, but nevertheless, without undue experimentation, those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure will design, fabricate, and manufacture It will be a daily work.

Claims (20)

A rotatable backrest member;
A rotating connecting member;
An attachment member;
A first rivet portion fixed to the rotational connection member; a first spacing portion having a first shoulder substantially surrounding the rivet portion and supporting the rotational connection member; and a first side portion; A first flange having a second side opposite to the first side, wherein the first side is opposite to the first shoulder; A first rivet having a first flange portion fixed to an end of a portion and having a first weld surface with the second side welded to the rotatable backrest member;
A second rivet portion fixed to the rotational connection member; a second separation portion having a second shoulder substantially surrounding the rivet portion and supporting the rotational connection member; a third side portion; A second flange portion having a fourth side portion opposite to the third side portion, wherein the third side portion is an end portion of the second separation portion opposite to the shoulder portion. A second flange portion having a second weld surface, the fourth side portion being welded to the backrest member, and between the second shoulder portion and the second flange portion. An intermediate separation portion having an intermediate shoulder and rotating the rotatable backrest member and the rotary connection member together with respect to the mounting member about a central axis of the second rivet; An intermediate separation for receiving said stationary attachment member against the shoulder of Riveting assembly; and a second rivet.   The riveting assembly of claim 1, further comprising a further rivet that is identical to the first rivet and that is similarly secured to the rotatable back member and the rotating connecting member.   The flange portion of each rivet extends sufficiently beyond the spacing portion in the radial direction to weld the flange portion to the backrest member by energy applied to the first side of the flange portion. The riveting assembly of claim 1, characterized in that   The riveting assembly of claim 1, wherein the flange portion of each rivet is welded to the backrest member by energy applied to the backrest member in a region in contact with the flange portion.   2. Riveting according to claim 1, further comprising a stationary member coupled to a seat base and rotatably coupled to the mounting member to allow the backrest to rotate relative to the seat base. assembly. A rivet having a rivet portion, wherein the separating portion has a shoulder portion substantially surrounding the rivet portion, and the flange portion is a first side portion and a second side opposite to the first side portion. A rivet having a portion, wherein the first side portion is fixed to an end portion of the separation portion opposite to the shoulder portion, and the second side portion has a welding surface;
A first structural member fixed to the rivet portion by riveting the rivet portion and supporting the shoulder;
A riveting assembly comprising: a second structural member welded to the weld surface of the flange portion and disposed at a distance from the first structural member by the spacing portion.   The flange portion extending sufficiently beyond the spacing portion in the radial direction to weld the flange portion to the second structural member by energy applied to the first side of the flange portion; 7. An assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that   The assembly according to claim 6, wherein the flange portion is welded to the second structural member by energy applied to the second structural member in a region in contact with the flange portion.   The assembly according to claim 6, wherein the separation part includes an intermediate separation part between the shoulder part and the flange part, and the intermediate separation part has a second shoulder part.   A third structural member attached to the intermediate separation portion and supporting the second shoulder; wherein the intermediate separation portion is a support surface for the third structural member; and The assembly according to claim 9, wherein second structural members are fixed relative to each other and are rotatable about the support surface relative to the third structural member.   The first structural member comprises a rotational connection member for folding the backrest on a seat base, the second structural member comprises the frame of the backrest, and the third structural member comprises the seat The assembly according to claim 10, further comprising a reclining member for reclining the backrest with respect to a base.   The first structural member includes a reclining plate for reclining the backrest relative to the seat base, the second structural member includes a backrest frame member, and the third structural member includes a seat base frame. The assembly according to claim 10, comprising a member.   The assembly according to claim 6, wherein the first and second structural members comprise components of a rotating seat frame.   The assembly according to claim 6, wherein the first structural member comprises a vehicle seat assembly and the second structural member comprises a seat mounting track. A rivet portion configured to be riveted to the first structural member;
A spacing portion having a shoulder substantially surrounding the rivet portion for receiving the first structural member;
A flange portion having a first side portion and a second side portion opposite to the first side portion, wherein the first side portion is an end of the separation portion opposite to the shoulder portion. And a flange portion having a welding surface configured to be connected to the second structural member by welding the second side portion to the side portion opposite to the separation portion. A weldable rivet characterized by that.   The flange portion is configured to be connected to the second structural member by energy applied to the second structural member at the first side portion of the flange portion or in a region in contact with the flange portion. The weldable rivet according to claim 15, characterized in that:   The separation portion includes an intermediate separation portion between the shoulder portion and the flange portion, and the intermediate separation portion has a second shoulder portion configured to receive and support a third structural member. The weldable rivet according to claim 15, characterized in that:   The intermediate separation portion is a support surface for the third structural member, and the first and second structural members are fixed to each other and of the support surface with respect to the third structural member. 18. A weldable rivet according to claim 17, characterized in that it can be rotated about.   The weldable rivet according to claim 15, further comprising a tapered portion connecting the flange to the spacing portion.   16. The weldable rivet according to claim 15, further comprising a positioning mechanism disposed on the second side of the flange portion.

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